玉

Primarily refers to nephrite in the following capacities:

• Material: The raw mineral or substance.
• Object: A finished ornament or ritual implement (e.g., bi discs, cong tubes).
• Category: A generic term for precious stones or hard, lustrous minerals of value.

In philosophical and ritual contexts, it denotes moral qualities via metaphor:

• Integrity/Purity: Incorruptibility or a heart unstained by worldly influence.
• Resilience: Strength and hardness under pressure.
• Gentleness: A soft luster (guāng) as opposed to the flash of metal.

Primarily a noun, frequently acting as a modifier. As a modifier, it can indicate that an object is "made of jade" or serve as a color descriptor suggesting elegance (milky-white or pale green).

• 珠 (zhū): Distinguishable by shape (round/bead) or organic origin (pearls), whereas 玉 focuses on the stone material.
• 寶 (bǎo): A value judgment ("treasure") defined by worth; 玉 is defined by its material.
• Specialized Jade Radicals: The use of specific glyphs (e.g., 珩, 瑀, 璠) typically indicates a particular grade of stone or ritual object. Use of the general 玉 usually suggests the broader concept of jade.
• Human Reference: When applied to a person, distinguish whether the text denotes status (wealth/nobility) or essence (moral virtue).

In early scripts and certain calligraphic hands, the distinction between 玉 (jade) and 王 (king) is minimal (a single dot), creating a possible deliberate resonance between regality and the precious stone.

Avoid terms like "gem" or "jewel" if they evoke modern, faceted, sparkling stones (such as diamonds). The value of 玉 lies in its substance and luster rather than brilliance.